Personalized Computer Support of Performance Rates and Education Process in High School: Case Study of Engineering Students

Abstract

To date, the existing principles of a unified approach to schooling do not meet the requirements of a fundamental socio-economic transition characterized by personalization and customization of products and services that concern all areas, including education. The paradigm of education systems is being restructured in many countries towards a new approach of personalized learning that is adapted to students' needs, allows them to choose individual educational trajectories, and respects unique skills and qualities. The study aimed to determine the impact of personalization on the academic performance of engineering students in physics. The experiment on personalized student support was conducted during the academic year 2018-2019 at I.T. Trubilin Kuban State Agrarian University. The sample covered 78 students. The starting point of the research was the assessment of students' skills in mathematics, as the study of physics is based on mathematical analysis and interpretation. Test in physics and the criterion of alpha Kronbach (test reliability is determined with a coefficient of 0.87) were used as a toolkit for research. Besides, the statistical tools and covariance analysis of data processing were employed. The research was supported by the SPSS Statistics software package. According to the results obtained, higher post-test scores were recorded for students in the experimental group. The personalized learning has been found to have a significant impact on the academic performance of students. Those with low and medium ability in mathematics demonstrated higher growth in academic achievement than students with recorded high aptitude scores. A correlation between learning methods and mathematical skills to achieve high academic performance has been established. The influence of personalization in the learning process was determined to be moderately high (determinacy coefficient of 72.6%). The study is relevant for the development of constructive approaches that could help teachers improve their approach to learning and students improve academic achievements. The results may be of interest to researchers of educational technology, educators, and university administration management.